Ralph Gene Wallace passed away peacefully on June 29, 2025, at his home in Florence.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 5th, 2025 at 2:00pm at Sherrod Avenue Church of Christ, to be immediately followed by visitation with family and friends.

Ralph was born in Florence to Guy and Laura Wallace on June 12, 1941. He attended Gilbert Elementary and Appleby Junior High, and he graduated from Coffee High School in 1959. Ralph attended Florence State University, graduating in 1963. In December 1963, he married Peggy Odom. After two years of active duty with the US Army in Madison, Wisconsin, and a brief stint in Baltimore, Maryland, Ralph and Peggy returned to Florence to raise their family. Ralph worked for TVA for over 25 years, during which time he earned an M.S. in Health Physics from the University of North Carolina. After retiring from TVA he did substitute teaching at Coffee High School.  He enjoyed working with youth.

Ralph was a member of Sherrod Avenue Church of Christ in childhood and in his later years. He was an active Scout leader with Troop 284 at Chisholm Hills Church of Christ for many years, and he was a co-founder of the Members of Churches of Christ for Scouting.  Ralph was involved in scouting for 41 years, completing two treks at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.  Ralph was an avid photographer, as his family members and friends can attest. In retirement, he enjoyed birding and golfing, until his health intervened. Ralph loved to travel, having visited all 50 states and several other countries where he did mission work including Jamaica, Estonia. Nigeria, Guatemala and Mexico. He took a Baltic cruise which included Norway, Finland, Sweden and Russia.  He later traveled to England, France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. His last major trip was through the Panama Canal.

He loved woodworking which he learned from his uncle and father, specializing in custom baby chairs for many family members. He was also the family expert in genealogy, having spent much time researching public records and visiting cemeteries in multiple states in order to gather information on the history of his family.

Above all, Ralph was a devoted son, brother, husband, Dad and Papa.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and his son-in-law Patrick Hubbard. He is survived by his wife, Peggy; their two children, Thomas (Bonnie) of Florence, and Jenni, of Arlington, Virginia; four grandsons, Gabriel Aultman of Kennesaw, Georgia, and Henry, Brendan, and Gus Hubbard, of Arlington, Virginia; three siblings, Franklin (Kay) Wallace of Decatur, Frances (Bobby) Tucker of Toney, and Jim (Beth) Wallace of Florence; and several beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, who were frequent recipients of humorous birthday cards.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America), Caring Place of the Shoals, or the charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank the staff members of ElderCare and Enhabit Hospice for their care over the last few weeks and months.